I visited a church in Hagen, Germany - and remembered 9/11

 Childhood memories related to this wonderful roman-catholic church, dedicated to Virgin Mary, located next to the Osthaus Museum

The first Christians in the region date back to the 7th century—though the first documented mention of a place of worship does not appear until the late 11th century, and at a different location. In the mid-12th century, the old church was demolished and replaced by a Romanesque basilica. A baptismal font from that period still survives.

 

 In 1825, the church’s vault collapsed, but it was rebuilt starting in 1826 along with a larger church.

1943–1945 > During the first air raid in October 1943, St. Mary’s Church sustained only minor damage. In December 1943, however, the windows were destroyed. They were provisionally repaired by 1945. In March 1945, however, the church was almost completely destroyed along with Hagen’s city center.

 

The church was restored as early as 1954, and the altar was consecrated on December 11, 1954. 

 

60 metres long, almost 30 metres wide

 The “Double Madonna” is a characteristic feature of churches in the Sauerland region. 

This one dates from the 18th century.

 

 

 The huge cross was made by Paul Rautzenberg 1945

 

 

A baptismal font (early 21st c.), a sculpture of Jesus Christ rising from the tomb (mid 16th c.) and a romanian-orthodox cross (late 17th c.)

 

 

The high altar, dated 1656 

 

A sculpture of virgin mary, dated earliest 16th century.

 

This is where I lit a candle and prayed
 

 

I visited an exhibition in Recklinghausen (Germany) last saturday

The museum in the center of Recklinghausen exhibits ancient religious art.

It is located opposite the the St-Peters church. The place between those two buildings is vast and shows a huge relief of the old town in cast-bronze:

So many ancient masterpieces to see - I chose some of the most remarkables for this blogpost.

Most of the icons are painted on wood using eggtempera. Eggtempera is a traditional mixture of yolk, linseed oil, water and pigments. It dries very quickly and you can paint with light or white eggtempera on a dark colour coat. 

I hope you enjoy the selection

 Christ enthroned

by Elias Moskos, 1653

Eggtempera on wood, 84x119cm

 Virgin Mary, Mother ofGod, from Kazan

Russia, 1650-1699

Eggtempera on wood, 27x32cm

 Virgin of Vladimir with scenes of her legend and life

Russia, early 19th century

Eggtempera on cypress wood, 40x54cm

 Calendar with various portraits of virgin Mary

Russia, late 19th century

Eggtempera on wood, 38x45cm

 "In Thee Rejoiceth"

Russia, 1700

Eggtempera on wood, 157x175cm

 Virgin Amolindos - Virgin of Passion

maybe by Andreas Ritsos, Greece, late 15th century

Eggt. on wood, 62x82cm

 Virgin Hodegetria

Crete, Greece, 1500

Eggtempera on wood, 39x51cm

 Madre della Consolazione - Virgin of consolation

Crete, Greece, late 15th century

Eggt. on wood, 38x47cm

 Triptych "Archangel Michael"

Russia, 1600-1650 - centerpiece midth 19th century

Eggtempera on wood, 77x55cm

 

 Apostle Luke painting the icon of Virgin Hodegetria

Byzantium, early 15th century

Eggtempera on wood, 18x26cm

Although small, this wonderful ancient icon is a chief work of the exhibition. 

It is on display behind a glass.

 Holy door of an ancient Iconostasis

on top: archangel Michael & Gabriel; 

below: Abbot Zosimas and Mary of Egypt

Crete, Greece, 2nd half 15th century

Eggtempera on wood, 59x116cm

 Depiction of a 10-row russian Iconostasis with 134 small icons

A Masterpiece of Palech, Russia, early 19th century

Eggtempera on wood, 60x72cm

 Calendar with saints and holy days of the christian year

Moscow, Russiam early 16th century

Eggtempera on wood, 91x158cm

 Nativity of Jesus Christ

Greece, 16th century

Eggt. on wood, 35x56cm

 The Annunciation of Mary by Archangel Gabriel

Crete, Greece, late 15th century

Eggt. on wood, 26x31cm

 Festive day icons

Russia, 1800

Eggtempera on wood

 Scenes from the life of Christ and Virgin Mary

Russia, early 17th century

Eggtempera on wood, Silverclad, 34x53 cm

 The last judgement

Russia, late 17th century

Eggtempera on canvas, 25x28cm

 Last Judgement

Russia, late 18th century

Eggtempera on wood, 81x106cm

 Nativity of Christ

Jerusalem, 18th century

Mother of pearl on wood, 8,5x12cm

I love this one due to it's size, purity and minimalism!

Saint Nicolas

Russia, early 15th century

Eggtempera on wood, 71x92,5cm

Patron-saint of the children - his nameday is the 6th december.

*************

I love to give you a forecast of exhibitions I will visit in 2016: 

• Junior Toscanelli, a painter who paints an encyclopedia of art
• Thomas Baumgärtel, the Spraypainter who is famous for his Bananas
• Hyper-Realism of the USA
•  Degas & Renoir, Giants of Modern Art

Finished 4th April 2015

 525 Pieces

Madonna del Magnificat (1481)

by Sandro Botticelli

painted Tempera 118 x 119 cm, Uffici Museum, Florence, Italy

The work shows Virgin Mary crowned by two angels. She is writing the opening of the Magnificat  on the right-hand page of a book; on the left page is part of the Benedictus. In her left hand she holds a pomegranate, a symbol for the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

Therefore this is a perfect picture for today's Easter sunday!

assembled during a Marathon yesterday within 4 hours